Definition
逼 (bī) is a colloquial, versatile verb meaning 'to force', used in everyday pressure (别逼我). It is less formal than 强迫 (qiǎng pò) and less intense than 逼迫 (bī pò); 迫使 (pò shǐ) is more literary. In its second sense, 逼 means 'to close in on', similar to the formal 逼近 (bī jìn).
verb
to forceto compel (someone to do something)to press on towardsto close in on (a place)
Easily confused
- 富fùlook-alikerich, wealthy, abundant
- 比bǐsound-alike(preposition) used to compare differences, meaning 'more ... than'
- 幅fúlook-alike(classifier) for paintings, pictures, and textiles (curtains, cloth, etc.)
- 闭bìsound-aliketo close, to shut
- 副fùlook-alike(classifier) for pairs, sets, and facial expressions
- 笔bǐsound-alikewriting instrument (pen, pencil, brush)
- 福fúlook-alikegood fortune; happiness; luck
- 必bìsound-alikecertainly; must; necessarily; will (expressing necessity or certainty)
- 避bìsound-aliketo avoid; to evade; to keep away from; to shun
Examples
- 逼。Bié bī tā zuò juédìng.Don't force him to make a decision.
- 。Dírén yǐjīng bī jìn chéngshì.The enemy has closed in on the city.
- 逼。Fùmǔ bú yào bī háizi xué de tài jǐn.Parents shouldn't push their children too hard to study.
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